Paper Plate Turtle Craft for Kids
This paper plate turtle craft is one of the cutest ocean crafts for kids! With a paper plate, two shades of green cardstock, and a sponge dabber, your little ones can make a sea turtle with a layered shell and stamped flippers in just a few easy steps.
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Materials for This Paper Plate Turtle Craft
Print-ready templates and step-by-step instructions.
Less prep, more crafting.
How to Make a Paper Plate Turtle Craft
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Grab everything on the list above and lay it out, this one moves fast once you get started.
Step 2: Paint the Plate
Paint the outside of the plate medium green and let it dry, adding a second coat if needed.
Step 3: Cut the Body Pieces
Print the turtle patterns, then trace and cut a head, two front flippers, two back flippers, and a tail from bright green cardstock, and the shell shape from dark green cardstock.
Step 4: Attach the Shell
Glue the shell piece onto the center of the painted plate.
Step 5: Stamp the Flipper Pattern
Dip a fresh pencil eraser into dark green paint and stamp a pattern onto all four flippers, then let dry.
Step 6: Attach the Head and Flippers
Glue the head to the front of the shell, then attach the front flippers, back flippers, and tail around the body, good practice for symmetry since the flippers need to be placed in matching pairs on each side.
Step 7: Add the Eye
Add the wiggle eye to the head, using the reference photo for placement.
Step 8: Stamp On a Cheek
Dab pink paint onto the sponge and stamp a cheek just under the eye, then let dry.
Step 9: Draw the Face Details
Finish with a black marker smile and two nostrils.
All done!
Your paper plate sea turtle is ready to swim!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
Grab the Printable
Skip the prep and grab the print-ready templates for this craft from my shop.
Mix and match to save 35%. Add any 10 items to your cart and get 35% off your whole order. Ready-made sets count as one item.
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Please Share This Paper Plate Turtle Craft
A layered shell that actually looks textured, share this one with a friend planning an ocean-themed craft day.
